Dacmagic or Benchmark?

[admin_exported]

I have just bought a Roksan Kandy K2 and I am using a Cambridge Audio Dacmagic to feed my uncompressed music files from Apple hard drive. I have a pair of Mourdant Short Mezzo 6's and Chord Company Chameleon Silver Plus Audio Cable and a Tacima.

My question is will a better Dac i.e Benchmark Media Dac1 £850.00 make a significant difference to the sound quality?

 

[Gerrardasnails]

The sewage man:
I have just bought a Roksan Kandy K2 and I am using a Cambridge Audio Dacmagic to feed my uncompressed music files from Apple hard drive. I have a pair of Mourdant Short Mezzo 6's and Chord Company Chameleon Silver Plus Audio Cable and a Tacima.

My question is will a better Dac i.e Benchmark Media Dac1 £850.00 make a significant difference to the sound quality?

I doubt it very much. It might make a bit of difference but I would be surprised if it was worth £200 more let alone £650 more. If you had a better amp and speakers (and you have very good ones don't get me wrong), I mean twice the price, maybe you would notice a bigger jump in class then.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your reply. If that is the case, then why do Hi Fi magazines suggest purchasing a £2000 Dac 'Bryston BDA-1' if you have a large collection of music on a hard drive? Will I notice a sizeable change in my sound quality if I purchase a Byston?

 

[Anonymous]

The sewage man:Thank you for your reply. If that is the case, then why do Hi Fi magazines suggest purchasing a £2000 Dac 'Bryston BDA-1' if you have a large collection of music on a hard drive? Will I notice a sizeable change in my sound quality if I purchase a Byston?

Whether there is a sizeable change or not what really matters is whether you are happy paying £2000 for a bit more detail, clarity, soundstage etc.

I have been buying hifi since 1977 and (with my modest system) I now take the view that convenience and variety is more important to me than squeezing every last ounce out of the sound quality.

I have recently bought a Squeezebox and DAC and I am now enjoying listening to music more than I have in the last 20 years.

Dont get sucked into listening to your system - LISTEN TO THE MUSIC.

Even on a £20k system I wouldn't be able to enjoy jazz but put Sex Pistols on any system and it never tires.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

The sewage man:Thank you for your reply. If that is the case, then why do Hi Fi magazines suggest purchasing a £2000 Dac 'Bryston BDA-1' if you have a large collection of music on a hard drive? Will I notice a sizeable change in my sound quality if I purchase a Byston?

What they suggest that if you have a large music collection, regardless of your amp and speakers, you need a £2000 DAC?? I would be surprised by that.

A £2000 DAC with lossless files is going to be the equivalent of a £3k cd player. You wouldn't match that with a £700 amp and £500 speakers would you?

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with the other posters. If you do fancy an upgrade, try and obtain a home trial of Chord's Chorus 2 interconnect. It has done absolute wonders for my system, truly recommended!

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Blunny89:I agree with the other posters. If you do fancy an upgrade, try and obtain a home trial of Chord's Chorus 2 interconnect. It has done absolute wonders for my system, truly recommended!

Good choice in cable Blunny!

 

[Gerrardasnails]

heystak:The sewage man:Thank you for your reply. If that is the case, then why do Hi Fi magazines suggest purchasing a £2000 Dac 'Bryston BDA-1' if you have a large collection of music on a hard drive? Will I notice a sizeable change in my sound quality if I purchase a Byston?

Whether there is a sizeable change or not what really matters is whether you are happy paying £2000 for a bit more detail, clarity, soundstage etc.

I have been buying hifi since 1977 and (with my modest system) I now take the view that convenience and variety is more important to me than squeezing every last ounce out of the sound quality.

I have recently bought a Squeezebox and DAC and I am now enjoying listening to music more than I have in the last 20 years.

Dont get sucked into listening to your system - LISTEN TO THE MUSIC.

Even on a £20k system I wouldn't be able to enjoy jazz but put Sex Pistols on any system and it never tires.

So true. I've never listened to as much music as I do now.

 

[Anonymous]

Gerrardasnails:Blunny89:I agree with the other posters. If you do fancy an upgrade, try and obtain a home trial of Chord's Chorus 2 interconnect. It has done absolute wonders for my system, truly recommended!

Good choice in cable Blunny!

I don't think I ever let you know how I got on! Well I purchased both the Chameleon Silver Plus and the Chorus 2 to upgrade my old Crimson. Before I attached the CSP, I really wanted to like it more (would have saved me some cash!) and the CSP was a good improvement. I then attached the Chorus 2, and as you suggested, WOW!! Everything opened up and it had to stay there. In the end I returned the CSP and kept the Chrous 2. The CSP is still a good cable, but for my system - the Chorus 2 was that much better and thoroughly warranted the extra cost.

Thanks again mate!

 

[Anonymous]

heystak: Dont get sucked into listening to your system - LISTEN TO THE MUSIC. Even on a £20k system I wouldn't be able to enjoy jazz but put Sex Pistols on any system and it never tires.

Brilliantly put. Should be placed at the head of every thread.ÿ

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Blunny89:Gerrardasnails:Blunny89:I agree with the other posters. If you do fancy an upgrade, try and obtain a home trial of Chord's Chorus 2 interconnect. It has done absolute wonders for my system, truly recommended!

Good choice in cable Blunny!

I don't think I ever let you know how I got on! Well I purchased both the Chameleon Silver Plus and the Chorus 2 to upgrade my old Crimson. Before I attached the CSP, I really wanted to like it more (would have saved me some cash!) and the CSP was a good improvement. I then attached the Chorus 2, and as you suggested, WOW!! Everything opened up and it had to stay there. In the end I returned the CSP and kept the Chrous 2. The CSP is still a good cable, but for my system - the Chorus 2 was that much better and thoroughly warranted the extra cost.

Thanks again mate!

No problem. Good to hear that you are pleased with a suggestion.